brianh8

Thanks for all the help guys - appreciate it! I've picked up The American Voter and NOMO for starters - in addition to the work of two of the Prof's (similar interests) I'll have next semester - always want to make a good impression!

Hey all, I've got plenty of free time this summer and I'm looking to grab a few books and start reading more and more political science research (note I'm an undergrad in junior standing). I read the top journals quite frequently, but I'd like to also start building up my library before grad school as well as refining my own interests before the application process in the next few years. My subfield is American and I have a particular research interest in ideology, voting behavior, campaigns/elections (turnout, mobilization, finance). Any tips are appreciated, thanks!

I haven't the slightest clue what you're talking about! Thanks for all of the tips, everyone. My undergrad GPA should end up being around a 3.82. I'm in the Honors program and I am doing a senior thesis/capstone project. Part of me thinks that an doing the BA/MA (continuous study at my school, with 9 credits that can double count) will prepare me for (or also tell me, if I lose interest, not to go further) long-term research as well as show ad comms that I can "handle" graduate school. On the other hand, if my application is strong enough (unfortunately there is no way of knowing beforehand), then I don't want to waste my time and I certainly do not want to get the BA/MA then have to earn another MA regardless. Debt wouldn't be fun -- I'd be okay with a fully funded PhD program, haha Thanks again everyone!

Hi all, I'm a undergrad junior studying political science with a research interest in campaigns and elections, public opinion, and voting behavior. My goal is to pursue a PhD in political science. I have a few options, and I'm looking for suggestions on the best way to get there. 1. My school offers a BA/MA. I would apply/enroll for a PhD. 2. Get a BA in political science and apply/enroll from there for a PhD. Get the MA along the way. My main question is funding. For the BA/MA, my department offers merit awards (combo of study grants and assistantships) for full-time students in the MA program. This could help my application with better LORs and a more narrowed research focus. If I went the other route, my question is whether or not not students enrolling without a MA can still get solid funding for the years it will take to get the MA as well. Note that my undergrad GPA, if I stay on this track, will be a 3.81 or so. Any advice you can offer is a plus. Thanks!